Malnutrition

Review clinical features including dietary history, history of weight loss, physical findings suggestive of underlying disease.

If weight loss is severe and/or prolonged, further assessment may be appropriate. FBC, blood film; ferritin, folate if indicated on blood film (see Anaemia); PT; sodium, potassium, protein (total), albumin - serum, glucose, urea, calcium, phosphate, zinc, magnesium, selenium, cholesterol, triglycerides may assist in the assessment of severe malnutrition. Vitamin D (25-hydroxy); Vitamin A